Point-of-purchase display

ABSTRACT

A vertical advertising display assembly formed from an initial flat folded condition, comprising vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels. In an upstanding assembled condition, each upper tier of the display nests in its lower adjacent tier. Display panels in each tier are adapted to receive advertising indicia. The display is assembled from the flat folded condition by simple manipulation.

United States Patent 1 1 3,765,112 Cooper Oct. 16, 1973 [54] POINT-OF-PURCHASE DISPLAY 3,589,046 6/1971 Taub 40 124.1

Inventor: Milton Cooper, 215 East 68th Street, Apt. 328, New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Aug. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 284,390

[52] US. Cl 40/126 A [51 Int. Cl. G09f 19/00 [58] Field of Search 40/125, 125 F, 124.1, 40/126 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,860,439 11/1958 Johnson 40/124.l X

3,082,864 3/1963 Silver 40/154 X 3,181,260 5/1965 Scherotto.... 40/126 A X 3,510,974 5/1970 Lane 40/126 A X Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Assistant Examiner-Wencheslao J. Contreras Attorney-Alex Friedman et a1.

[57 ABSTRACT A vertical advertising display assembly formed from an initial flat folded condition, comprising vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels; In an upstanding assembled condition, each upper tier of the display nests in its lower adjacent tier. Display panels in each tier are adapted to receive advertising indicia. The display is assembled from the flat folded condition by simple manipulation.

6 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures PATENTEU BUT I 6 I975 SHEET 1 0F 4 has PAIENTEB UB1 1 8 I975 SHEET 30F 4 POINT-OF-PURCHASE DISPLAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved vertical display assembly for use in promoting the sale of and advertising of merchandise. More particularly, the invention relates to a multitier arrangement of interconnected display panels easily stored for transport and simply assembled from the initial folded condition.

Priopart advertising display devices have suffered disadvantages which impaired their usefulness. For instance, prior devices have been complex and difficult to assemble or fragile .and unstable, therefore prone to spill in heavily trafficked areas where it is propitious to erect such displays. Further, prior devices were generally adapted to carry advertising indicia only over a relatively small portion of the display surface.

Accordingly, the device of this invention includes features of construction adapted to overcome the disadvantages of such prior devices. It is simply erected for use, easily collapsed into composite form for storcia substantially over the entire panel surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a multi-tier vertical advertising display unit may be manually set up by simple manipulation from the initial flat folded condition. The external surfaces of the display are adapted to bear advertising indicia or other intelligence, as desired.

Briefly, the display assembly comprises a flexible blank with at least one vertical or lengthwise fold therein to provide vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels. Portions of the blank between adjacent tiers are set of? by a pair of horizontal score lines defining lateral edges of vertically adjacent tiered display panels. A third horizontal score line between the pair defines integrally formed flap sections which fold inwardly with respect to the display panels when the unit is manipulated into an upstanding set-up position. Configured slots are formed in the set-off portion of the blank, between vertically aligned panels, to permit each upper tier of the display to nest in its vertically adjacent lower tier.

Otheradvantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of one type of advertising display unit constructed in accordance with the invention in an initial flat folded condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in an extended but closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 placed in an upstanding vertical position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, showing the way in which each upper tier of the display nests in its lower adjacent tier;

FIG. 6 IS A SECTIONAL VIEW TAKEN ON THE LINE 66 of FIG. 2, showing the juxtaposition of display panels in the initial flat folded condition;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 3, showing the position of the biasing means between adjacent tiers of interconnected display panels;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 5, showing the way in which two blanks may becoupled to form a triangularly configured display unit; FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 5, showing the disposition of the biasing means between vertically adjacent display panels; and

FIGS. 10 and II are plan views of two blanks that may be coupled to form the triangularly configured display unit shown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals denote the same parts, there is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 a display assembly having vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels 13, I3 assembled by coupling suitably scored blanks l5 and 17 which may be formed of sheet cardboard, corrugated paper, plastic or other similar rigid material. Both blanks are scored or otherwise treated in accordance with common practice to provide folding lines that define display panels, I3, 13, as shown in FIGS. 10 and II. The device is assembled in a flat folded condition by folding blanks l5 and 17 along respective bisecting vertically extending lines 21, 23. Line 21 may be similarly scored or treated to facilitate the fold therein. Complementary halves of each blank, 15, I7,'are folded back on each other along lines 21, 23 until remote vertical edges of each respective blank are proximate, one to the other,

' and remote vertical edges of one blank are glued or otherwise fastened to opposed remote vertical edges of the second blank, as shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, edges 25, 27 of blank 15 are aligned and fastened to edges 29, 31 of blank 17, respectively. Preferably, edges 25 and 31 are provided with coupling means, for example tabs 24 and 30, respectively integral with edges 25 and 31, which are scored or otherwise treated to define the base line of tabs 24 and 30 on their respective edges, and tabs 24 and 30 are arranged to overlie adjacent opposed edges 29 and 27, respectively. The tabs are fixed in place with glue or other fastening means, preferably on the surfaces of the blanks remote from display panels 13, 13', as shown in FIG. 6.

Edges 25, 27 and 29, 311 of respective blanks l5 and 17, for purposes shortly appearing, are configured between vertically adjacent display panels 13, 13', in the formation of which respective edges are cut obliquely inwardly at scored transverse folding lines 35'37' and 35, 37 until the cuts join respectively at scored transverse folding lines 33', 33 of blanks l5 and 17. For the same purposes, configured slots 39 are formed in blank 17 along scored folding line 23 between transverse folding lines 35, 37.

Referring now to FIG. 2, wherein blanks 15 and 17 are coupled in an extended but closed position. To

store or transport the flat forms in a compact condition, shown in FIG. 1, tier A is rotated clockwise about transverse fold 33, 33' until it overlies tier B, and tier C is rotated clockwise about second transverse fold 33, 33' until it underlies tier B. Conversely, the compactly stored form may be extended by flipping tier A upwardly and outwardly in a counterclockwise direction and tier C downwardly and outwardly in a counterclockwise direction.

The extended assembly may be opened by grasping tier B along folds 21 and 23 and pressing inwardly toward the axis of the assembly until the halves of blank are coplanar and tiered display panels 13, 13' project laterally at an angle with respect to one another to form a self-supporting column. The open, extended display may be set upright, shown in FIG. 4, and gentle downward pressure may be applied on the uppermost lateral edge of the top tier to nest each upper tier of the display in its vertically adjacent lower tier, as shown in FIG. 5.

When edges 25, 29 and 27, 31 are aligned and coupled, complementary configurations in each edge are similarly aligned and generally assume configurations similar to slots 39. Flaps 41, 41' integral with blanks 15 and 17 and defined by folds 33, 35, 37 and 33', 35', 37', respectively, rest in complementary relationship with horizontal adjacent flaps in the same tier when tiers in the unit are nested one below another. Slots 39 and configured edges, configured between tiers, permit adjacent flaps 41, 41' to assume a complementary relationship between tiers, thereby facilitating the nesting arrangement between vertically adjacent tiers.

Biasing means 43 may be provided to facilitate opening the display assembly from the extended closed position shown in FIG. 2. Biasing means 43 elastically embrace coupled blanks llS and 17 along scored folding lines 33, 33', and when it is desired to open the display, a gentle inward pressure simultaneously exerted on scored folding lines 21, 23 initiates an elastic response in biasing means 43 which urges the scored panels of the coupled blanks into an open position. Biasing means 43 may be a wide-gauge rubber band or like elastically deformable material. As the display opens, means 43 remain nestled along transverse folds 33, 33' biasing integrally formed flaps 41, 41' into rigid juxtaposition with adjacent flaps in the same tier. Means 43 prematurely urge horizontally adjacent flaps 41, 41' into complementary engagement, and the physical attitude of each relative upper tier is thrust upwardly, providing an arrangement in which vertically adjacent tiers nest higher, one within another, than display arrangements, within the scope of this invention, without such means. When biasing means are to be employed, it is preferable that they be installed, in position, before the coupled blanks are folded for storage or shipment.

Once the display assembly is opened, it may easily be collapsed and folded for reuse by removing biasing means 43, if used, lifting the tiers out of their nested position, shown in FIG. 4, and urging blank 15 outwardly along fold 21 therein, returning the assembly to the closed position shown in FIG. 2, and it may thereafter be folded as described for storage.

It is to be understood that the configurations shown in the drawings may be modified considerably; for example, the display assembly may include more or less than the three tiers exemplified by the drawings and the assembly itself may be formed of one scored blank or more than two scored blanks. Additionally, the vertical display column need not be triangularly configured, but may be rectilinear or circular in shape, or the edge of the assembly may be contoured to impart a shape, as desired, to the display assembly. Advertising indicia may be printed or otherwise fastened on any or all of display panels 13, 13'.

It will thus be seen that the advantages of this novel display assembly set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

l. A vertical display assembly for displaying graphic material, comprising a flexible blank adapted for folding along at least one vertical line to provide vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels; a portion of said flexible blank being set off, between said vertically aligned tiers, by first and second horizontal score lines, eachof said first and second score lines defining lateral edges of a tier of display panels; said set-off portion of said flexible blank being provided with a third horizontal score line intermediate thereof; said score lines defining integrally formed flap sections in said setoff portion of said flexible blank adapted for folding inwardly of said display panels in an upstanding assembled condition; and said set-off portion having configured slots so as to permit a nesting arrangement of said adjacent vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels in an upstanding assembled condition.

2. The vertical display assembly of claim 1 further comprising a vertical score line dividing a set of adjacent display panels in vertically aligned tiers of said flexible blank to facilitate folding of said flexible blank for shipping and storage.

3. The vertical display assembly of claim 1 including means for biasing inwardly said integrally formed flap sections in said set-off portion of said flexible blank, said means embracing said flexible blank along said setoff portion thereof.

4. The vertical display assembly of claim 3 wherein said biasing means is nestled along said third horizontal score line in said set-off portion of said flexible blank.

5. The vertical display assembly of claim 3 wherein said biasing means is a continuous elastic band.

6. A vertical display assembly for displaying graphic material, comprising a first flexible blank adapted for folding along a vertical line and having first and second free vertical edges; first coupling means for coupling said first flexible blank to a second flexible blank, said first coupling means being integral with said first free vertical edge of said first flexible blank and extending lengthwise thereof; a second flexible blank having first and second-free vertical edges; second coupling means for coupling said second flexible blank to said first flexible blank, said second coupling means being integral with said second free vertical edge of said second flexible blank and extending lengthwise thereof; said first coupling means being mounted on the rearward face of said second flexible blank with respective first free vertical edges of said first and second flexible blanks being constantly aligned; said second coupling means being mounted on the rearward face of said first flexible blank with respective second free vertical edges of said first and second flexible blanks being constantly aligned; said first and second flexible blanks being coupled along respective vertical lines to provide three interconnected panel sections projecting laterally at an angle with respect to one another; a portion of said first and second flexible blanks being set off by first and second horizontal score lines to provide vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels, each of said first and second score lines defining lateral edges of a tier of display panels; said set-off portion of said first and second flexible blanks being provided with a third horizontal score line intermediate thereof; said score lines portion thereof. 

1. A vertical display assembly for displaying graphic material, comprising a flexible blank adapted for folding along at least one vertical line to provide vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels; a portion of said flexible blank being set off, between said vertically aligned tiers, by first and second horizontal score lines, each of said first and second score lines defining lateral edges of a tier of display panels; said set-off portion of said flexible blank being provided with a third horizontal score line intermediate thereof; said score lines defining integrally formed flap sections in said set-off portion of said flexible blank adapted for folding inwardly of said display panels in an upstanding assembled condition; and said set-off portion having configured slots so as to permit a nesting arrangement of said adjacent vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels in an upstanding assembled condition.
 2. The vertical display assembly of claim 1 further comprising a vertical score line dividing a set of adjacent display panels in vertically aligned tiers of said flexible blank to facilitate folding of said flexible blank for shipping and storage.
 3. The vertical display assembly of claim 1 including means for biasing inwardly said integrally formed flap sections in said set-off portion of said flexible blank, said means embracing said flexible blank along said set-off portion thereof.
 4. The vertical display assembly of claim 3 wherein said biasing means is nestled along said third horizontal score line in said set-off portion of said flexible blank.
 5. The vertical display assembly of claim 3 wherein said biasing means is a continuous elastic band.
 6. A vertical display assembly for displaying graphic material, comprising a first flexible blank adapted for folding along a vertical line and having first and second free vertical edges; first coupling means for coupling said first flexible blank to a second flexible blank, said first coupling means being integral with said first free vertical edge of said first flexible blank and extending lengthwise thereof; a second flexible blank having first and second free vertical edges; second coupling means for coupling said second flexible blank to said first flexible blank, said second coupling means being integral with said second free vertical edge of said second flexible blank and extending lengthwise thereof; said first coupling means being mounted on the rearward face of said second flexible blank with respective first free vertical edges of said first and second flexible blanks being constantly aligned; said second coupling means being mounted on the rearward face of said first flexible blank with respective second free vertical edges of said first and second flexible blanks being constantly aligned; said first and second flexible blanks being coupled along respective vertical lines to provide three interconnected panel sections projecting laterally at an angle with respect to one another; a portion of said first and second flexible blanks being set off by first and second horizontal score lines to provide vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels, each of said first and second score lines defining lateral edges of a tier of display panels; said set-off portion of said first and second flexible blanks being provided with a third horizontal score line intermediate thereof; said score lines defining integrally formed flap sections in said set-off portion adapted for folding inwardly of said display panels in an upstanding assembled condition; said set-off portion having configured slots so as to permit a nesting arrangement of said adjacent vertically aligned tiers of interconnected display panels in an upstanding assembled condition; said second flexible blank being provided with a vertiCal score line dividing adjacent display panels in vertically aligned tiers of said second flexible blank; and means for biasing inwardly said integrally formed flap sections in said set-off portion, said means embracing said flexible blank along said set-off portion thereof. 